ISSUE 2:
SHOULD THE U.S. START TO BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS?

 
 
Issue 2 Introduction
Debate Question
Internet Resource Sites
 
INTRODUCTION:

There have been no new orders in the U.S. for nuclear power plants since 1974. The last plant was completed in the late 1980's. Since Chernobyl in 1986, opposition to nuclear power has increased dramatically.

West Germany: 46 --> 83 % opposed
United States: 67 --> 78
France: --> 52

In this role play you should find out about both the pro and cons concerning the use of nuclear power. First, concentrate on the science of how a nuclear power plant operates to produce energy which is then converted to electricity. Secondly, investigate the safety features or lack of them which has lead to accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Also consider the problem of radioactive waste disposal. Finally, give consideration to the possible use of new "second" generation nuclear power plants and the use of nuclear power as a possible partial solution to the global warming problem discussed earlier.

Debate Question: SHOULD THE U.S. START TO BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS?
 
Debate Roles

For this debate, the instructor will assign members of the class to one of the possible roles listed below. In a role play you are expected to become knowledgeable about the issue so that you can accurately express the viewpoint and concerns of a typical person whose role you are playing. Attempt to do this even though you may not agree with that view point. Near the end of the debate you may express your own personal point of view.
The first three roles probably have a NO viewpoint, while the last three roles probably have a YES viewpoint. Although #3 may go either way.

 Role Play Assignments  Monday Lab  Tuesday Lab
 1. Environmental Scientist   Jeanette, Al, Nathan  Carrie, Christine, Julie
 2. Citizen living near a power plant, a (NIMBY) Not In My Back Yard advocate.  Patrick, Anne, Shri  Steven, Karen, Jaya
 3. General Concerned Citizen  Christina, Christy  Sabrina, Tracy, Seyeda
 4. Nuclear Scientist from NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Adam, Rishad, Marcia  Sara, Catherine, Angela
 5. Electrical and Nuclear Power Plant Official  Sarah, Melissa, Andrea  Mark, Greg, Danielle
 6. Nuclear Fuel Cycle/Power Plant workers  Cori, James  Debra, Sharita, Melinda



INTERNET RESOURCES:



Debate Question: SHOULD THE U.S. START TO BUILD MORENUCLEAR POWER PLANTS?



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